James s



(No Model.)

J. S. ROBINSON.

AUTOMATIC SHUT-OPP VALVE FOR GAS SERVICE PIPES.

ted Mar. 6, 1888.

Paten Inventor Per W 041 014, WW

N PETERS, Phuip-Lkhognphar, wmin m, n. C

' To all whom it may concern.-

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES S. ROBINSON, OF J AMESTOWN, NElV YORK.

AUTOMATIC SHUT-OFF VALVE F OR GAS-SERVICE PIPES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 379,128, dated March 6, 1888.

Application filed March 24, 1887. Serial No. 232,308. (No model.)

Be it known that I, JAMES S. ROBINSON, a citizen of the United States,residing atJamestown, in the county of Chautauqua and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic Shut-Off Valves forGas-Service Pipes; and I do hereby declare the following to'be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention,such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to automatic shut-off valves for use 011 gas service pipes; and it consists in certain improvements in the construction thereof, as will fully appear from the following general description and claims.

In gas-distribution it often occurs, particularly in the distribution of natural gas, that the pressure ceases while the burner-cocks are open, and then resumes before the cocks are closed,in which case the gas flows through the burner without being lighted, and of course escapes into the rooms,and may do great harm. The object of the valve here shown is to close the pipes against further flow automatically if at any time the pressure in the pipes ceases. Shut-off valves for this purpose have been heretofore devised, my device being an improved construction.

My device is illustrated in the accompanying drawings as follows: Figure l is a longitudinal vertical section on the line :0 x in Fig. 4. Fig. 2 is an elevation view of the side plate A, showing the inside face ofsaid plate. Fig. 3 is a like view of the side plate B, showing the inside 'face. Fig.4 is a like view of the central plate, 0, showing the face which is toward the plate A.

The valve'case is composed of three parts, viz: first, a central plate, 0, which is in the form of a disk, with connecting-nipples c c, and with a central depression or dish, which forms the chamber 0, seen in Fig. 1, and it has also an entrance-port,cflthrough the nipple 0,.a port, 0 which is covered by the gate E, and an exit'port, c, from the chamber 0 or dish through the nipple 0; second, an outside cap-plate, A, which liasa protuberancewhich forms a chamber, A, over the valve E; third, a second plate, B, which is dished to form the diaphragm-chamber B. These plates are secured together by screws or bolts in any desirable manner. There will be a packing between the plates 0 and A,which will be so cut away as to not interfere with the valve-chain her A, and a flexible or yielding diaphragm, D, will be clamped between the plates B and O. This diaphragm may be of rubber, leather, metal,or any of the many substances employed for that purpose.

In the center ofthe diaphragmD is secured a stem, D, which is provided with an eye, d, on the end within the chamber 0. This stem extends out through the opening B in' the Wall of the diaphragm-chamber, so that it can be manipulated when desired.

Of course various forms of valves may be used; but it is desirable to use a form that will work easy at all times, and I have shown a common hinged gate-valve. E. If the device is to stand as shown in the drawings,the valve should be provided with a weightlike E, for exampleto insure its seating properly; but if the device should lie horizontally, the left side in Fig. 1 being the upper side, there will be no need of a weight. A rod, E, extends from the gate E through the port a up to and through the eye 01 in the diaphragm-stem D.

As shownin Fig. l, the valve is closed. If gas were turned on, none could pass through the device. To open a passage for the gas it is necessary to grasp the stem D where it protrudes through the opening B and draw on it, and thereby draw on the lever E which will open the gate E, and thus admit the gas to the chamber Con theleft of the diaphragm. Gas being once admitted to this chamber, the diaphragm D will be held deflected by the pressure ,of the gas, and the gate E will thus be kept open and a passage for gas will be maintained. It will enter at 0, pass under the gate, through the port 0 thence through the chamber 0, and out at the port 0". lfthe flow of gas through the device should stop from any cause, the diaphragm would be free to react and the gate would close by gravity, and a resumption of the flow could not take place until the stem D is again drawn upon and the gate thus reopened.

The diaphragm D should be very flexible, so that a low degree of pressure will be sufficient to keep it deflected and maintain the valve, because if it is the diaphragm would have to possess too much elasticity, and it would not be kept deflected by a lowdegree of pressure.

\Vhat I claim as new is- 1. In a shut-off valve,the combination, substantially as set forth, ofa valveehamberhaving an inlet-passage, a second chamber having a flexible diaphragm and connected with the first chamber by a port, a valve automatically acting to positively close said port when the pressure is reduced and permit the diaphragm to assume a vertical position, a stem conneeting said diaphragm and valve and having a weighted end projecting into the valvcchamher, whereby a deflection of said diaphragm will hold said valve open, astem extending from said diaphragm outside of the valve-case in position to be operated upon to open said valve, and an exit-passage from said second chamber into the service pipe.

2. In ashut-off valve, the combinatiomsubstantially as set forth, of the central plate, 0, having nipples c c, passages 12 and c", and port 0", and a depression or dish formation, 0, a valve, E, closing said port 0 and having a stem, E passing through said port and lying within said dishing part 0', a cap-plate, A, having a valve-chamber, A, covering said plate C and valve E, a cap-plate, 13, having a dished chamber, covering the dished chamber C, a diaphragm, D, clamped between said plates B and C,and a stem, D, extending from said diaphragm through the plate B on one side of the diaphragm andeonnecting with the valve-stem E on the other side of said diaphragm.

In testimony whereofI affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

J. S. ROBINSON.

Witnesses:

R. H. PORTER, JNO. K. HALLOCK. 

